The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new draft guidance to enhance racial, ethnic, and other forms of diversity in clinical trials conducted by drugmakers and medical device manufacturers. The recommendations offer a structured approach for companies and researchers to set and achieve enrolment goals segmented by age, ethnicity, sex, and race. The initiative seeks to address the…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Obesity drugs show promise in combatting substance abuse
In a groundbreaking revelation, researchers have uncovered that obesity drugs, traditionally prescribed for weight management, could play a significant role in combating substance abuse. This dual functionality of obesity medications is poised to revolutionise the approach to both obesity and addiction, offering hope where previous treatments may have fallen short. At the forefront of this research is a class of…
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BMA Activates Mpox Plan with New Screening Measures
The South African Border Management Authority (BMA) has activated its outbreak preparedness plan in response to the rising cases of Mpox. The National Department of Health has confirmed 13 cases across the country. Yesterday, BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato announced the implementation of a robust screening process at all South African ports of entry. This process aims to detect and…
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Scientists hail injectable drug for HIV prevention
Early results from the Phase 3 PURPOSE 1 trial reveal that an injectable antiretroviral drug, administered twice a year, can effectively prevent HIV infection in cisgender women. Professor Thesla Palanee-Phillips, director of clinical trials at Wits RHI, hailed the findings as historic, saying this is the first HIV prevention trial ever to show zero HIV infections with an intervention. The…
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Junior doctors cry foul over discrepancies in board exams
Seventy percent of foreign-trained doctors who took board exams in October 2023 and February 2024 failed. However, around 250 junior doctors have identified discrepancies in their examination scripts. They are now seeking intervention from the Information Regulator to compel the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to release their exam scripts. Supported by the South African International Trained Health…
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Impact of climate change on children’s mental health
Climate change is causing significant psychological stress and trauma in children, according to a recent report by advocacy organisation Section27. The report highlights the particular vulnerability of children to the extreme weather conditions associated with climate change, such as floods, heat waves, cold fronts, and droughts. Children’s biological susceptibility to these events stems from their unique developmental needs, including nutritional…
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The Rise of Post-Pandemic Illnesses: Why People Are Sicker Now
Recent data reveals a troubling global trend. People are getting sick more often. Illnesses also appear to be more severe. This has led experts to study the rise of post-pandemic illnesses. Several factors contribute to this situation. Understanding them is key to protecting public health. Data from health agencies shows this increase. There is a surge in communicable diseases. These…
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SAHPRA’s focus on local manufacturing a game changer
In a significant move for the local pharmaceutical industry, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has proposed a new localisation policy to prioritise the registration of locally manufactured products. This policy aims to expedite the lengthy medicine registration process for local manufacturers compared to their foreign counterparts. Stavros Nicolaou, group senior executive for strategic trade at Aspen Pharmacare,…
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Tech advancements boost health monitoring and management
Despite concerns about technology’s impact on health due to inactivity, advancements in health tech, including wearables and facial scans, significantly improve health outcomes. At a Momentum Multiply roundtable, dietician Mbali Mapholi highlighted how apps like FatSecret and MyFitnessPal make tracking and managing calorie intake easier, promoting healthier lifestyle choices. Research from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information reveals that while…
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GNU clouds future of National Health Insurance Act
Despite the formation of a new government, court challenges to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act are likely to proceed, says an industry body representing medical aid funds. The Health Funders Association (HFA) convened a scenario planning symposium this week, during which stakeholders evaluated possible outcomes for the NHI following the establishment of a government of national unity. The NHI…
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HIV testing crucial as Mpox spreads across South Africa
In light of more than a dozen severe Mpox cases in South Africa, experts do not foresee a widespread epidemic but are urging people to get tested for HIV. Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, results in flu-like symptoms and a skin infection with a rash, lesions, or blisters. Although typically not fatal, two of the 13 hospitalised patients in…
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Private healthcare leaders flag many NHI challenges
The Health Funders Association (HFA), representing stakeholders in South Africa’s private healthcare funding sector, recently held a symposium to discuss the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. The seminar focused on the changes the private health industry might face and their potential effects on the country, the health sector, and medical scheme members. Dr Paula Armstrong, Senior Director at FTI Consulting,…